Smock Monsters or Your Choice! Aprons - Friday, January 27th

Instructor: Rebecca Anderson
Class Fee: $35
Time: 10 - 2:30

Great for Beginners!

Every time Rebecca Ruth Designs comes out with something new for kids we think, "That's the cutest thing ever!" But then they prove us wrong. Now, surely, this must be the cutest apron you ever saw for kids.

Smock Monsters has many fun pocket variations and comes in six children's sizes. Try your hand at design and make your own monster faces ... we mean on your apron! In this designer taught class you can make the adorable Smock Monsters or your choice of patterns from the Rebecca Ruth Designs collection. 

Rebecca's aprons are well designed, functional and flattering. The patterns are well written and easy to follow. Rebecca's expert instruction is gentle and encouraging. In addition to apron construction you will gain useful tips on working with rick rack and bias tape. Are you hard to fit? No worries. Rebecca will show you how to modify your pattern to make it just right.

As a special treat Rebecca will share a selection of vintage aprons from her extensive collection. She highlights the techniques used by our foremothers and honors their creative expression. The show is a wonderful peek into Rebecca's own creative design process.

For success in this class you will need to be familiar with the basic operation of your sewing machine.

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A Walk in the Park - Saturday, January 28, 2012

Instructor:  Laura Piliaris
Class Fee:  $30
Time:  10:30 - 4

Beginner Friendly!

This darling modern quilt is quick and easy as a "Walk in the Park!" Get a head start with those deliciously appealing packages of precut pieces with names like Candy Bars, Charm Packs, Layer Cakes, Bali Pops and Tonga Treats. You may even have a couple of these tasty tidbits languishing in your stash!

Because all of these packets have precut pieces that are divisible by 2 and 1/2 inches, much of the cutting and measuring is already done for you. And because these collections are already color coordinated you are not faced with the daunting task of trying to coordinate colors for a scrappy quilt. If you don't have any of these divinely, delectable delights, dive into your stash and start stripping! Make your own 2 and 1/2 inch strips. This quilt can also be a great stash burner.

Laura's darling quilt is 52 x 68 inches, an ample lap quilt but you can adapt your quilt to any size. Laura's sample is soft and feminine, but the pattern would work wonderfully in batiks, reproductions or maybe you have a lot of Kaffe scraps you would like to use. I want to make mine with a brown background and use turquoise, orange, pink, green and yellow prints. Or all solids on a white background or maybe a black background. Oooh! Wouldn't my Jinny Beyer stash just pop off a black background or ... really cool, all shades of gray on black or white and the birds could all be Magpies! Or ....

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Applique Basics I - Friday, February 10, 2012

Click picture for larger imageGreat for Beginners!

Instructor: Margie Horton
Class Fee: $30 (In addition a kit fee of $5.00 is payable to the instructor on the day of class)
Time: 11-3

Note:  The next session for this class is Friday, April 27, 2012 

Applique Basics I presents the basic techniques for needle turn applique with a small kit project. The kit, which you purchase from Margie in class, lets you jump right into stitching. The project features lots of inside and outside points and curves. It's a low pressure introduction for beginners or a good class for more experienced stitchers who would like to improve their technique. You'll pick up LOTS of tips.

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Embroidery Class - Next Meeting - Sunday, February 12, 2012

Instructor:  Pat Zarp
Class Fee:  $10
Time:  1:30 - 3

Beginners Welcome!

Note: This class meets monthly on the second Sunday of each month. New members are always welcome.

Learn to Embroider. Get help on your current project. Learn new stitches. Join in with others working on the same project or choose your own. The Embroidery class is part class and part support group. What you'll find when you join in is a skilled and supportive instructor and a fun and helpful group of stitchers. 

Currently, many class participants are working on the Calendula Patterdrip's Cottage quilt (shown) but you are welcome to work on any project you desire. Part of the fun of the class is to see what other stitchers are working on, learn from their adventures and be inspired.

If you are new to embroidery gather the supplies listed below and Pat will help you get started. If you want to start the Calendula Patterdrip's Cottage quilt, patterns and thread are available at the shop. Pat can help you get organized and teach you what you need to know to complete this fantastic quilt. Otherwise, bring along your current project and join in the fun.

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Moon Glow - Fridays, February 24 & March 2, 2012

Instructor: Linda Becker
Class Fee: $35.00 (The class fee covers both class sessions.) 
Time: 10:30 - 4:30pm
Quilt Size:  87 x 87 

This class is recommended for intermediate quilters or confident beginners. Some familiarity with paper piecing techniques is helpful.

Note: If you want the coloration and luminosity of the original quilt, a kit, including all the fabrics from Linda's gorgeous sample, is available at Ruby Street Quiltworks. However, you are welcome to choose your own fabrics if you prefer. Make sure to stop by the shop and admire the sample.

Moon Glow is one of the most exquisite quilts ever made. It was designed, hand pieced and hand quilted by Jinny Beyer, with fabrics of her own design, over ten years ago. Jinny was one of the first fabric designers to create a "palette" of fabrics, just for quilters. She is a master of color and light, using fabric in quilts as an Impressionist would use a palette of oils in a painting. Jinny is truly one of the pioneers of the re-emergence of quilting as a craft, and the advancement of quilting as an art form. Click here for more information on Jinny Beyer. 

The "Moon Glow" quilt has lost none of it's luster over the years. Our edition is every bit as intensely colored and radiant as the original with fabrics from Jinny's "Palette." The Mariners Compass blocks are stunning, named after the Moon's seas: Sea of Nectar, Sea of Moisture, Sea of Ingenuity, Sea of Tranquility, Sea of Rains, Sea of Fertility, Sea of Vapor, Sea of Clouds, Sea of Crisis, Sea of Serenity, Sea of Knowledge, and The Border Sea. Even the names are evocative of a mysterious luminesence.

Though the fabrics are the same, the patterns have been completely revised and updated to make construction of the "Mariner's Compass" blocks much easier.  

In Linda's two session class you will learn how to organize your project to make it manageable and all the techniques you need to finish the quilt. We realize completing a "Moon Glow" quilt is a significant commitment of time and effort but upon completion you will have gained mastery over a varity of techniques and a masterpiece quilt.

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Wool Applique - Saturday, February 25, 2012

Instructor:  Rebecca Anderson
Class Fee:  $25
Time:  10:30 - 3:30

No prior sewing experience needed

Bring your own felted wool or purchase a kit from the instructor in class ($5 - $20)

There will be a lunch break at 12:30. Bring a lunch or plan to purchase something from a nearby establishment.

Experience the joy of working wool with your own two hands. Create a small felted wool candle mat in class or start a more complex project such as the table mat shown. See Rebecca's many samples in the shop for an idea of what you can do. In class you will get some wool in your hands and create something fun, working free form or with a simple pattern depending on your comfort level.

Supplies

-Felted Wool (Bring your own or purchase a kit from the instructor in class. Felting instructions follow.)
-Pearl Cotton or embroidery floss in a shade darker than the wool
-Needles to accomodate your thread
-Scissors
-Thimble

Felting Instructions (Make sure to felt your wool before class if you are bringing your own.) 

Felted wool is knitted or woven wool fabric in which the fibers have been shrunk and tangled, creating a stronger, denser, warmer and more durable fabric which wil not fray. This allows you to work projects without finishing the raw edges. Heat and agitation from washing and drying cause the wool to felt.

Purchase 100% wool yardage or recycle 100% wool garments such as coats and sweaters. Scrounge garage sales, flea markets and thrift shops for great bargains. Make sure to look for 100% wool items for the best felting effect. A "Dry Clean Only" label is a good sign that the wool will felt. Some blends containing at least 80% wool will work well, but 100% wool works the best.

If using garments, cut off buttons and non wool parts. Put the wool into pillow protector bags to prevent loose wool fibers from clogging your washing machine. Wash like colors together to prevent color transfer. Wash in HOT water with maximum agitation using a mild detergent. Dry in a dryer and press flat if necessary.

Class Reservation and Parking Information

You can reserve a spot in this class with full payment of the class fee. If you are not able to attend the class please notify us as soon as possible so your space may be offered to a student on the waiting list. A full refund will be made in the form of a store credit, which may be used towards another class or any purchases in the shop, so long as you notify us at least 72 hours (3 days) in advance of the class.

While attending class, we kindly ask that you park against the chain link fence or on the street alongside the shop. There is also an additional parking lot just across the street from our back door. That will allow access to patients of the chiropractic office and other businesses in our building. Of course you are welcome to pull right up to the door for unloading. Thank you for understanding.

Effervescence Table Runner - Thursday, March 1 2012

Instructor:  Laura Piliaris
Class Fee:  $35
Time:  10:30 - 4

Confident Beginner through Advanced

Laura wanted to call this table runner "Funky 7-Up" but I didn't want us to get in trouble with the trademark police so I suggested "Effervescence." Whatever you call it it will put some happiness on your table and add some wattage to your room. Laura used fabric from our new "Gradations" collection by Caryl Bryer Fallert to give the runner added dimension and way more fun. The Gradations come in a variety of color progressions to suit your preference but you can use other fabrics as well. Choose textured neutrals for an Asian look or solids for a cool modern look. Scrappy fans just dig into your scrap box. A unifying background will pull it all together. Or get a jump on the holidays for next year. Make the squares with scraps from your Christmas projects and add little bows to the tops of the squares and you'll have packages tumbling out of Santa's sleigh or work it up with silver and gold metallics on black and call it "Confetti" to celebrate the New Year. 

The design looks tricky but it is easy enough for a confident beginner. As a bonus you'll learn how to make an easy false piping which adds sophistication and a color boost. In addition Laura will demonstrate how to achieve the cool bubbly quilting design.

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Machine Quilting - Saturday, March 24, 2012

Instructor: Margie Horton
Class Fee: $45
Time: 11 - 5

You can quilt it yourself! This class will take the mystery out of getting good results with your home sewing machine. Working with Maurene Noble's book, Machine Quilting Made Easy, you will learn the essential techniques for quilting with both a walking foot and a free motion foot on a sampler of different patterns.

Margie is a talented quilter and well respected instructor and we are fortunate to have her at Ruby Street Quiltworks. Bring your quilt top to class to get Margie's ideas for quilting.

To be successful in this class you need to be familiar with the operation of your sewing machine.

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Curious Cats Table Toppers - Saturday, March 31, 2011

Instructor:  Rebecca Anderson

Class Fee:  $35.00

Time:  10:30 am - 4:00 pm

We are always excited when new designs from the talented design team at Rebecca Ruth Designs arrive on Ruby Street. We are utterly charmed with their newest offering, "Curious Cats." 

We are proud to be the first shop to make this stunning pattern available and are excited to offer it as a "designer taught" class. 

This is a great class for quilters who want to try paper piecing with the guidance of an experienced (and supportive) instructor. Though the project appears complex, the blocks are broken into small, easy to piece units. More advanced paper piecers will also enjoy making these beautiful and well designed projects.

You may choose from amongst several Rebecca Ruth Designs table runner and table topper patterns including Curious Cats, Frolicking Fish, Apple Leaf, Sweetheart, or Romantic Heart table toppers or runners. These patterns make great learning pieces. Not only will you perfect your paper-piecing skills, but you'll learn to work with equilateral triangles. Rebecca makes them easy!

Please note: This class assumes you have a basic knowledge of sewing. Before class gather your supplies and make sure your machine is in good working order. You will have a short break for lunch. Bring a lunch or plan to purchase lunch nearby. 

Click to read more ...

We are always excited when new designs from the talented design team at Rebecca Ruth Designs arrive on Ruby Street. We are utterly charmed with their newest offering, "Curious Cats." 

We are proud to be the first shop to make this stunning pattern available and are excited to offer it as a "designer taught" class. 

This is a great class for quilters who want to try paper piecing with the guidance of an experienced (and supportive) instructor. Though the project appears complex, the blocks are broken into small, easy to piece units. More advanced paper piecers will also enjoy making these beautiful and well designed projects.

You may choose from amongst several Rebecca Ruth Designs table runner and table topper patterns including Curious Cats, Frolicking Fish, Apple Leaf, Sweetheart, or Romantic Heart table toppers or runners. These patterns make great learning pieces. Not only will you perfect your paper-piecing skills, but you'll learn to work with equilateral triangles. Rebecca makes them easy!

Please note: This class assumes you have a basic knowledge of sewing. Before class gather your supplies and make sure your machine is in good working order. You will have a short break for lunch. Bring a lunch or plan to purchase lunch nearby. 

BJ's Critters & the Gathering of the Herd - Saturday, April 21, 2011

Instructor:  Laura Piliaris
Class Fee:  $35
Time: 10:30 - 4:30

The creative genius at BJ Designs (aka Barbara Jones), has created a menagerie of fun critters that have captivated our staff and customers. Join Laura and make La Luna Lobo (shown). Or you might choose to make Rhonda, the Rhino or Kandy the Kangaroo or any one of BJ's critters. You choose the critter and the fabric. Laura will show you how to make it come alive! 

Warning: These patterns are addictive. Once you learn the "stitched edge" fusible technique Laura will present in class, you'll want to go on to make Fiona and Ellie and Morley and Laredo and Zoey and GerriAnn and Spot ... and all their chums. Before you know it you'll find yourself at the bottom of your scrap bag with no scraps and a whole menagerie.

The Gathering of the Herd

To add to the fun, the class will break from 1 - 2pm for a special show and tell. Past class members will be invited to share the "Critter" quilts they have made from BJ's Designs.

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